Cash plan update.
We’re taking extra steps to help cash plan customers access the services they need right now. From an extended range of services they can use from home to covering PPE on dental benefits (depending on the policy), here’s what we’re doing to help.
Dental support
- From 13 July 2020, we’ve covered the cost of exceptional PPE for dental treatments up to benefit limits for the remainder of 2020 as a policy exception.
- Cash plan policies with a dental benefit include cover for virtual dental services. There are various ‘at home’ options which can be chosen and claimed back for in line with dental benefit limits and terms and conditions.
If a customer is midway through treatment or has an emergency, they can have a free consultation with a Bupa dentist either by telephone or by arranging a video appointment. This service does not impact dental benefit limits.
Health support for cash plan customers
- We’ve waived the usual pandemic exclusion on claims for any hospital in-patient stays and hospital day-case admissions relating to COVID-19 which began after 12 March 2020. This means any claims for hospital in-patient stays and hospital day-case admissions relating to COVID-19 will be processed in line with the policy benefit limits.
- We continue to process claims for all other benefits in line with the existing standard terms and conditions for the cash plan. The pandemic exclusion will continue to apply to all other relevant benefits, such as consultations and diagnostic tests or scans where these are included in your policy, unless we inform you otherwise.
- Our cash plan policies include cash back towards physiotherapy costs up to policy benefit limits and subject to terms and conditions. We’ve arranged for customers to have access to services either by phone or video consultation if they don’t want to attend a face to face appointment, which can be claimed back in line with the policy benefit limits and terms and conditions.
We are extending access to our online health check benefit to the main member on all of our cash plan policies until the end of 2020. Our online health check is a wellbeing portal which provides a lifestyle score with recommendations and access to online coaching and support tools.
Now more than ever, it’s important for everyone to be looking after their health and wellbeing. We’re delighted to be adding more brands to our Everyday Rewards, giving dedicated offers, discounts and treats. All focused on your customers’ health and wellbeing needs.
We’re also pleased to add more functionality on Bupa Connect, helping you manage your customers in these challenging times.
Brand new rewards for your customers
We’ve added more brands to the mix. Including brands like Fitbit, Holland and Barrett, and Tribe, as well as 35% off Reebok online. We’re adding new partners all the time, so the collection is growing fast. Don’t forget to also remind your customers to check into Everyday Rewards regularly for the latest competitions and giveaways.
Bupa Connect, bringing you more functionality
In the challenging times that we have found ourselves in this year, we understand how important it is that you are able to manage your customers on Bupa Connect. We’ve been continually developing its functionality this year and are pleased to let you know about another forthcoming improvement, including access to quotes securely and receiving instant recalculations online.
UK workforce is feeling more supported by their managers and colleagues, reported BITC partnership survey
The study of 3,614 employees by Business in the Community in partnership with Bupa UK and the BITC Wellbeing Leadership Team found that 41% of employees say they have experienced poor mental health where work was a contributing factor, up from 39% in 2019.
As you may know, the Government has introduced its most extensive flu vaccination programme as part of its response to the pandemic, offering 30 million free vaccines to the UK’s most vulnerable people, a significant increase on previous years. This has meant our partner pharmacies are currently experiencing unprecedented demand for flu jabs from NHS customers, as well as trying to meet the needs of private customers.
With these challenges in mind, we feel it would be inappropriate for Bupa to continue selling flu vaccination vouchers or to make new appointments for vaccinations at our own clinics for the time being.
This is a sector-wide issue, with other providers facing the same supply challenges and taking the same action. By doing so, we hope limited supplies reach those who are most in need. We’re very sorry for any inconvenience this causes you and your clients.
What this means for clients
This change affects customers who were due to receive flu vouchers via our online portal, and customers who are yet to receive confirmation of a bulk order of flu vouchers.
Next steps:
– If a client has a confirmed booking for our on-site nurse, this service is currently running as usual – we’ll let you know if this changes.
– Any clients who are due to receive flu vouchers via our online portal won’t have theirs issued.
– Any vouchers that have already been issued can continue to be dispatched to employees, however due to limited flu vaccination stock we suggest clients direct their people to their local pharmacies to check their availability. It’s possible that more vaccine stocks may be available later in the season, so if they can’t get an appointment immediately it may be worth continuing to try.
– We’ll refund the cost of any unused vouchers that are returned to us between 1 and 31 March 2021. Clients should return these to: Flu Service, Battle Bridge House, 300-306 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8DU
Self-care guide for employees
Please download and share the attached guide with your clients. It includes expert tips and advice on winter wellbeing and protecting yourself from catching the flu.
Once again, I’m very sorry for the disruption and inconvenience for you and your clients. If you’d like to discuss this, please contact your Bupa Account Manager.
